Snow has begun falling in Kalamazoo and could continue throughout tonight, according to a National Weather Service special weather statement. It's the first snowfall during this week of October since 1997, when Kalamazoo got five inches, according to Kalamazoo weather expert Ray Hackman.

But snow in October is not too uncommon. According to Hackman's records, snow has fallen eight times between Oct. 21 and Oct. 27 in the past 51 years. Kalamazoo has gotten snow five times in the week prior to that during that time period.

But Hackman said there have also been days in late October when temperatures have reached 80 degrees.

"Anything's possible in October," he said.

Hackman said Tuesday was the first freeze of the season, 10 days later than average. Kalamazoo saw some sleet this afternoon, and Hackman expects some more snow this evening.

"We'll probably get some snow but no more than an inch tonight," he said.

According to the National Weather Service statement, slick roads could develop tonight due to a mixture of rain and snow showers. There is an 80 percent chance of snow and sleet tonight. Some areas could see one to two inches of accumulation, according to NWS.

Aaron Mueller is a public safety reporter for the Kalamazoo
Gazette. Contact him at amuelle1@mlive.com or 269-568-3867.
Follow him on Twitter.